Session Title
The Role of Ritual in Interaction Design
Presenter
Matt Nish-Lapidus, nForm User Experience
Session Type: Discussion
Ritual has always played an important part in our lives. How do we as interaction designers tap into the desire for ritual to improve engagement with our products and services?
This discussion session will attempt to shed light on questions surrounding ritual in our personal lives as it related to designed products and experiences. Some starting questions include: What is it about ritual that is so attractive? How does it manifest in consumer products? When can things become too easy, so easy that they loose their appeal? Is ritual at odds with usability?
To get the discussion started we will look at a couple examples of modern day ritual related to listening to music, telling time, and making coffee.
Biography
Matt Nish-Lapidus, a designer and consultant with nForm User Experience, has been working in the industry for over a decade where he has engaged in programming, design, and the many possibilities that exist in the rapidly changing digital environment.
With an Honours BFA in New Media Art (Interactive Installation and Performance) from Ryerson University, Matt combines technical knowledge with a creative design sensibility. Matt has worked as a programmer, teacher, artist, musician, and designer, along the way maintaining and growing a passion for design in all forms.
6 Comments
Fascinating! In an attempt to stretch: I’ve seen people ritualizing disruption and divergence, especially in the creative industry
Thanks,
Pieter
Love it!
I’m intrigued! I would also like to see a mashup of this discussion with Chris Baum’s presentation on myth. Not sure when we’d have time, though!
Thanks for the comments!
Pieter, that’s an interesting angle and something we could include in the discussion.
Thanks Matt, oh and don’t forget ‘the cookie category’ — ever wondered why we always buy the same type of milk, but try to pick different cookies every time?
Pieter
This is a fascinating topic. I surely get more out of grinding coffee beans and using a french press than just decent coffee. In fact, I doubt the coffee is actually better at all. I’d like to hear more.